Posts tagged ‘Mock Draft’

Just to clarify things.  This is my mock draft if I were drafting for them. This is not necessarily what the teams are thinking.  When we get closer to the draft.  I will come out with my Big Board and a mock draft of what I think the teams will do.  This is more of what I think the teams should do.

1. Chicago- Biggest Needs: Inside Scoring, Consistent play from the perimeter

Derrick Rose-PG-Memphis-Even though Chicago has a need for a low post scorer like Beasley, it is too difficult to pass up a hometown kid that will also draw in the crowds.  The Bulls are supposedly very impressed with Rose.

2. Miami- Biggest Needs: A #2 or #3 scoring option depending on if they keep Shawn Marion.

Michael Beasley-PF-Kansas State-Miami wants Derrick Rose to team with Dwyane Wade in the backcourt to form what could be one of the best in future years along with Daequan Cook coming off the bench, but I think Rose will be taken off the board.  Beasley is not a bad player to settle for though.  He’s a player who can work in tandem with Shawn Marion if the Heat choose to resign him.  If not, then he can be the scoring counterpart to Udonis Haslem.

3. Minnesota- Biggest Needs: Star alongside Al Jefferson, Wing Players

OJ Mayo-PG/SG-USC-This was one of the most difficult teams to gauge because here’s where the philosophy debate comes in to play.  Do you draft a player for need with less of an upside or do you draft on best available talent no matter what the need? I think the #3 pick is too high to draft purely on need especially when the difference is between Mayo and Brook Lopez.  Mayo is a major upgrade over a similar sized McCants in the backfield and could provide the outside punch for Al Jefferson.

4. Seattle- Biggest Needs: Point Guard, Inside Scoring

Jerryd Bayless-PG/SG-Arizona-The whole at point guard is too big to pass up.  Bayless is more of a combo guard now but has the tools to be a great point in the future.  He must be willing to become the #2 and create shots for his teammates because Durants needs a lot to be effective.

5. Memphis- Biggest Needs: PF, C

Anthony Randolph-SF/PF-LSU-This pick is a perfect match.  Memphis likes to get up and down the floor and needs some better inside play especially on the defensive end.  Memphis is young and developing their talent with two potential stars already in Conley and Gay.  This means it will be ok if Randolph takes a few years to develop into a solid player at both ends of the court.

6. New York- Biggest Needs: Payroll cut, but that isn’t happening. A Star/Playmaker, PG

Eric Gordon-SG-Indiana-This does not necessarily fit a position need for the Knicks but they need to take the best available talent.  Gordon will actually fit really well with Mike D’Antoni’s offensive scheme.  He has the ability to play an up tempo game, shoot the ball and get to the bucket, all of which D’Antoni will need from his guards.  He might be able to step in to play point alongside Jamal Crawford.  This gives the Knicks some excitement with their fans at MSG.

7. LA Clippers- Biggest Needs: PG, 3 Point shooting

DJ Augustine-PG-Texas-I have not seen one mock draft have Augustine landing with the Clippers, but once I look more and more at the roster and how he will fit, I think it works.  First of all he fills a position need and a desparate need of better three point shooters.  The one thing that is a hitch in this pick is Augustine’s ability to run the half-court offense.  He is more of an up tempo player.  If Brand returns, the Clippers will most likely play at a slower pace.  At first, I thought this would get in the way and then I realized Augustine would have Corey Magette and Cutino Mobley as running mates on the fastbreak as well as PF Al Thronton off the bench who started to progress at the end of last year. Augustine could help this team take advantage of more fast breaks

8. Milwaukee- Biggest Needs: SF, PG

Danilo Gallinari-SF-Italy-This was a tough selection. It was between Gallinari and Westbrook.  Gallinari of course fills a hole at Small Forward for the Bucks be he does not ad athleticism which is an underrated aspect in the NBA.  An aspect the Bucks need.  Gallinari is a point-forward type of player with basketball IQ off the charts.  He would be able to work in the half court sets the Bucks like to use and could come in and start right away with this roster.  Westbrook is also a possibility here especially with his ability to play defense on the perimeter which is something Milwaukee needs.

9. Charlotte- Biggest Needs: C, PG

DeAndre Jordan-C-Texas A&M-This might surprise some people because of the ability Brook Lopez has showed at Stanford, but Jordan’s potential is too much to pass in my mind and I do not like Lopez’s game.  Lopez is talented offensively, but is not a good rebounder and is not very athletic.  Both of which could be problems when trying to defend the typical C/PF of the NBA.  Jordan is the exact opposite.  He is not nearly as polished, but is a good rebounder and has athleticism and potential that are off the charts.  I think Lopez will be at most a Chris Kaman type of player where Jordan could be the next in line alongside the likes of Amare Stoudemire and Dwight Howard.  Could be. The Bobcats aren’t in position to contend for a title this upcoming year so I think Jordan is the right call for them.

10. New Jersey- Biggest Needs: PF, C, (SF if Richard Jefferson is on the trading block like rumors say)

Kevin Love-PF-UCLA-I have not liked Love’s NBA possibilities since I first saw him play at UCLA, but supposedly he has slimmed down and was in better shape than ever at the Pre-draft camp.  If that’s the case, then this could be a steal.  I still think Love is least likely to be a bust but also least likeyl to be a superstar.  His basketball IQ and passing skills are among the best in the draft and not just among big men.  He is also extremely talented scoring inside.  This could be the compliment the Nets need for their centers Sean Williams and Dasagna Diop who are more of a defensive and rebounding presence. His passing skills would also be welcome from players like Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson.

11. Indiana- Biggest Needs: A star, PG, Post

Russell Westbrook-PG/SG-UCLA-This is the guy, if available, I think the Pacers should select.  He will have a slightly larger learning curve at point than players like DJ Augustine or Mario Chalmers because he often had to play off the ball at UCLA, but I think he will become a very good point guard in the future.  He brings freakish athleticism, quickness, and energy, all three of which this team desparately needs.  He also has the ability to take people off the dribble though his weak hand ballhandling must improve.  He does not shoot the ball extremely well, which is something O’Brien would want, but that can be taught and tweaked.  He also automatically gives the Pacers their second best or maybe best defender.  He could guard either guard position and do it well.  The Pacers got burnt by lesser point guards constantly last year because none of the players on the roster could keep up with them.  Westbrook would change that. 

12. Sacramento- Biggest Needs: PG, PF

Darrell Arthur-PF-Kansas-If Brook Lopex is still available, they might bite on hime purely because most people would think it is a steal.  In my mind, Darrell Arthur would fit them better.  Arthur just needs a fire lit under him and live up to his potential.  At times he looks like the next superstar and at times he looks like a good role player.  He has the ability on both ends of the floor to be an eventual all-star and getting instant playing time in Sacramento would be just what he needs.  Arthur would fill their second biggest position hole even though the PG position is glaringly shallow. 

13. Portland- Biggest Needs: Experience, PG

Donte Greene-SF/PF-Syracuse-I think Portland will actually deal this pick because they have a recent history of being very active on draft day.  They should trade it for an experienced veteran, preferably at point, because they are loaded with young talent 2 deep at almost every position. If they keep the pick, it will be between Greene and Joe Alexander of West Virginia because none of the point guard prospects will be available down this far.  Greene has tons of potential but is still a little raw.  He has a good skill set of moves but does not use them at the right times.  He has shown the ability to take the ball off the dribble, get to the rim, create fouls, pull up mid-range, hit the three, and score in the post.  But he does often does not exploit his opponent on every position like a guy of his talent should.  He gets too caught up in settling for three pointers when he could have his way with a defender if he chose another move.  If he learns to polish his offensive skills and hustle every play on defense (another big problem his freshman season) he could be yet another future all-star on the Trailblazers roster.

14. Golden State- Biggest Needs: PF, C

Brook Lopez-C-Stanford- In most people’s mock drafts, Lopez goes well above this mark.  As I have previously mentioned, I think Lopez’s ceiling in the NBA is low, but Golden State would be stupid not to pick him if he was available.  Lopez will be able to come in right now and start in center for them and would give them an inside scoring option which they lack.  This team wants to win right now and this is a player who could step in and help them win right away.  He might have trouble keeping up with the Warriors temp but he also could be a good option for the team in a half court set because, especially in the playoffs, you are oftentimes forced to execute in the half court.

That is my Lottery Mock Draft.  Again I made how I think the teams should pick and not on what the front offices are actually thinking.  The rest of the first round mock draft is soon  to come.